Thirty years on, Brazil pays tribute to late F1 hero Ayrton Senna formula 1 news

Thirty years after his death following a crash that sent shockwaves around the world, Brazilians will on Wednesday pay tribute to Formula One superstar Ayrton Senna – a beloved symbol of national pride who can only be compared to compatriot Pele. Fans of the three-time Formula One world champion are expected to visit Senna’s grave at the cemetery in his hometown of Sao Paulo, where he was buried following his tragic crash at the Imola circuit on May 1, 1994.

Some will take part in an entertainment event based on the ups and downs of the Interlagos Motorsport Circuit, where Senna scored two emotional Formula One victories at the end of his career in 1991 and 1993.

A series of television programs have been broadcast to mark the anniversary, while an exhibition titled ‘I, Ayrton Senna da Silva – 30 years’ will open in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday following a nationwide tour.

The exhibit features an artificial intelligence-powered recreation of Senna’s voice, reflecting the defining moments of his turbulent life and career.

‘Brazil stands still’

On Rio’s famous Copacabana beach, a procession of fans old and young are stopping to take photos with a bronze statue of Senna, arms raised and waving the Brazilian flag in victory.

They included 30-year-old Joao Paulo Bertoloni – just a child when Senna died at the age of 34.

“I didn’t get a chance to see him live, but everyone in my family was a fan,” Bertoloni said.

The business manager said, “My father, my grandparents… everyone told me about Senna. The Brazilian stopped by when he was racing on Sunday.”

Marilyn Mattos, 66, still remembers well the moment she watched on television as Senna’s Williams car left the Imola track at nearly 190 mph and crashed into a wall.

“It was terrible, it makes me sad even today,” he told AFP. “But I like to remember the good times. He was an ordinary guy like us.”

‘sense of pride’

The military’s legacy in Brazil extends far beyond sports theatre.

The Ayrton Senna Institute was recognized by UNESCO in 2004 for its educational projects, which aim to help children from poor areas.

“Ayrton always said that if you want to change things, you have to start with education,” Vivian Sena, Ayrton’s sister and president of the institute, said in a video recently posted on social media.

Founded six months after Senna’s death, the institute claims to have benefited approximately 36 million students in 3,000 cities and towns across Brazil.

For Brazilian writer Ernesto Rodrigues, author of the biography “Ayrton: The Hero Revealed”, Senna is an important cultural figure because he “restored the self-respect of Brazilians” at a time when the country was struggling with political and economic crises. .

Rodrigues said, “His name is on streets all over the country. Whenever his name is mentioned, he gives Brazilians a sense of pride. His legacy has been largely preserved.”

The Brazilian government declared three days of national mourning for Senna, who died in an Italian hospital of head injuries following the crash.

Millions of Brazilians flocked to the airport and city streets in Sao Paulo to pay their respects, getting a glimpse of his coffin before a private burial.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)